JULY 2017 | SCENE 65 15. Last Shot (USA) — Animated short by Ringling student Aemilia Widodo is yet another brilliant and original display of filmmaking by a Ringling College student who takes a creative look at the feelings of broken camera. 14. Sweet Love (USA) — A short documentary by Stephen Crompton about a retired man named Alvin living in an adult living facility in Florida. His past as a producer in softcore porn makes for an interesting past as he lives the remaining days of his future. Poignant, powerful and a sweet film. 13. The Hollow Coin (USA) — Short documentary by Frank Heath. Man loses nickel in pay phone; seeks customer service. Chaos and frustration ensues assuring empathy and your money’s worth of entertainment. 12. 10 Dollar Perspective (JAMAICA-USA) — Keith Donovan directs this fascinating eye-opening documentary examining what an Alexander Hamilton ($10) means to the people who live and survive at the largest garbage dump in the Caribbean. 11. California Dreams (USA) — Director Mike Ott’s look at five unique people pursuing their Hollywood dreams is at times fun, frustrating and fascinating, which can explain the diverse feelings from the audience who screened it with me. Smiles, laughter and walkouts were a plenty. In the end this quirky tale did enough to win me over and believe in their dreams. 10. The Silence (Italy-France) — Narrative short directed by Farnoosh Samadi and Ali Asgari. Poignant and powerful story of dutiful daughter who must translate while her mother visits the doctor. Her silence is deafening and unforgettable. 9. This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous (USA) — Master documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple, a great friend of SFF, paints another captivating story of a real person — You Tube Star Gigi Gorgeous. It’s a story about fame, family and chasing one’s dream, but ultimately, it’s a story about love and acceptance of each other and ourselves — no matter who we are. 8. On Time (USA) — Xavier Neal Burgin directs this eight minute narrative short about a desperate mother who’s late for a job interview and one very big decision that she must make before time runs out. Handled with a delicate touch that made me wish it was 100 minutes longer. 7. Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton (USA) — Accomplished documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy offers an incredible look at the colorful and innovative life of master surfer, Edison-like entrepreneur, and industry innovator Laird Hamilton. At times poetic, poignant and powerful, the film will sneak up on you like one of those big waves he attacks with a zest for life that is awe inspiring. 6. In the Radiant City (USA) — This powerful narrative feature, directed by Rachel Lambert, masterfully tells the domestic tale of how a family deals with a murder, complicated by the animosity felt by one brother, who lives with the consequences of testifying against his own brother, who committed the act. 5. The Hero (USA) — Director Brett Haley follows up his impressive 2015 hit I’ll see you in My Dreams with an equally powerful and poignant tale about a washed-up Western actor (Sam Elliot) battling cancer — and his personal demons — with the help of a lifetime achievement award and the company of a young woman. Good guy Sam Elliot gives a heroic and Oscarworthy performance of a man seeking redemption and one last shot at leaving behind a legacy. 4. Last Men in Aleppo (Denmark-Syria) — Directed by Firas Fayyad and others, this documentary takes a stunning look at the remaining residents of Aleppo. You can feel their fear and struggle as they try to survive. Sadly, a story that is precisely and perfectly designed for the documentary genre. Heartbreaking, unsettling and unforgettable. 3. Abacus: Small Enough To Jail (USA) — Master documentary filmmaker Steve James (Hoop Dreams) tells the personal story of Thomas Sung and his family, and the hell they went through in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis,
20299SS
To see the actual publication please follow the link above